Backpack Thoughts/Recommendations

E

Expatriated

Joined
Jan 19, 2004
Messages
551
Guys,

I'm looking for a new pack. This is primarily used for my international travels to carry all my clothes and gear in to some pretty crappy places.

-I'm looking for something in the 2,000-2,500 cu in range (Hopefully airline carry-on size or close to it)
-I want it to be bulletproof, no ultra-light go-lite type material
-Something not too tacti-sexual is a plus but not mandatory.
-Top-loader preferred (the fewer zippers, the fewer things to break, imo)
-Some small pockets or some molle for attaching small pouches a plus
-detachable waist belt a plus
-no camelbak or laptop sleeves wanted. I use a Nalgene and I rarely travel with something as fragile as a laptop
-I don't want a million straps hanging all off the thing. Simple is better
--Money is no object, quality rules.

I have been looking hard at some of the Kifaru's. The Eagle Becker Patrol Pack is always a good choice but just a tad on the small size, not by much but I'm looking for something just slightly larger.

I'm currently using an Oakley top-loader which has a good layout but the long-term durability is not there, I don't think.

I have a maxpedition fatboy. Their quality seems pretty good. I haven't looked to see if they have a pack that fits the bill.

I know there's some serious gear brainpower represented here--what do you guys recommend?

Thanks!
 
I first thing I would recommend would be a Kifaru, they are bulletproof and have a lot of options. You can also try Mystery Ranch who also make some grade A packs that are just as good as Kifaru I believe. I have a Kifaru XRay (1800 ci)at it is the best pack that I've ever owned! It has both top and front/bottom openings and a lot of room for additional pouches, I'm just not sure it's large enough for you though. The other 2 that would work would be the Marauder G2 or the Molle Express G2. The Marauder (2500 ci) has a full frontal opening which gives you tons of access to your gear and is loaded with molle attachments all over the inside and outside for total customization. The other, the Molle Express is a top open pack (2300 ci) that has the exterior covered in molle for additional pouches. I don't know all the Mystery Ranch packs as well, but give them a look, I'm sure you won't be dissapointed. Good luck in your searching!!!
 
Yeah, I really like that x-ray. I wish they made the exact same thing, just larger. I like the zulu, too but at 3,200 cu in, it's a bit on the large size. Of course, I don't have to fill it up. Maybe it would still pass carry-on muster.
 
+1 on the Kifaru Express or Molle Express as it fits most if not all of your criteria. I am expecting mine in the next few weeks.
 
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Sigh... go to EMS and pick up a Lowe pack, unless you need it to be tactical... Seriously, my EMS and Lowe packs have over 20 years on them and they are still going strong. And they are about 1/5 the price of a Kifaru. Of course if you wanna spend the money on a pack like that, go for it.
 
I have a Maxped Falcon II. It definately fits the bombproof requirement. The colors available make it a little less tactical looking, and lots of pals webbing to add whatever you want. It was worth every penny, but I love Maxped's stuff, so I might be biased. The other options mentioned also look good, I just have never used any of them so I can't comment. Good luck finding a pack!
 
Take a look at Tactical Tailor packs.

http://www.tacticaltailor.com/packs.aspx

I have one of their 3-day assault plus packs in black and have had if for 5 years now. I am extremely pleased.

I use if for backpacking, air travel when I don't want to check bags, and just about everything.

Everything about it is well thought out and overbuilt. Heavy nylon, heavy duty zippers and buckles. I have abused mine pretty hard and have not had a single broken piece of hardware or broken. If I cleaned it up, it would look nearly new.

It is not too bad to load it up with a lot of weight. I have carried loads up to 70lbs in mine on hikes with no issues. The side pockets are just the right size for a Nalgene or similar sized bottle.
 
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Expatriated said:
I have a maxpedition fatboy. Their quality seems pretty good. I haven't looked to see if they have a pack that fits the bill.
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I had a Fatboy, and I just got my first Maxpedition backpack: A Falcon II.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/FALCON-II-BACKPACK-12p110.htm

It is perfect, and is now serving bugout bag duty. It's just as tough as my Fatboy, maybe more, as it seems to be made of thicker material. I'm not sure how much you pack, but I have room for food, clothing, toiletries, and quite a bit of survival type gear. I wouldn't hesitate to take it on a short trip. I really dig the strapping on the side that allows the pack to be tightened down on lighter loads, to keep everything solid. It should also be mentioned that the pack is proportionately narrow, about as deep as it is wide, which keeps the load to my center and makes it very comfortable, even loaded with 25 lbs of stuff.

The waist belt is great too. I did have to buy some side pouches to hold water bottles, but that is the advantage of a modular pack. If you don't need the waist belt, I would get the Pygmy Falcon instead. That would have saved me from having to buy the water bottle pouches.

If you want to tone down the tacticoolity of the MOLLE webbing and straps, get it in blue. If you ever have to be sneaky, cover it in mud and you will blend in fine.
 
MrCoffee said:
Sigh... go to EMS and pick up a Lowe pack, unless you need it to be tactical... Seriously, my EMS and Lowe packs have over 20 years on them and they are still going strong. And they are about 1/5 the price of a Kifaru. Of course if you wanna spend the money on a pack like that, go for it.
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FWIW I have a Lowe pack and Kifaru. The Lowe pack isn't nearly as rugged. That's why the price differents. Mine doesn't feel as good when carring heavy either. And it wasn't 1/5 of the co$t. Maybe 1/2. But Kifaru maynot be the best of the best but I belive it's the most "rugged " of packs. But you get extra weight for rugged.
I think Maxpedition is to small for the size you are asking JMO
 
I don't have one but I have heard good things about granite gear, just another one to look at, then there is always kelty
 
i would suggest in this order anything mystery ranch. its the best of the best of the best. it will make 40lbs feel like 20. they are great and wear a great price tag also. then i would recommend kifaru. very great kit and expensive but they do carry extremely well and are very good packs. then tactical taylor also great packs not quite up to the others but its up there for sure. anyone one of the above pack will treat you right and carry much better than maxpedition. but are more expensive. it al depends on what you plan on doing with it.

if your talking short walks in the woods with a decent amount of kit a maxpedition will do well (though from your post i think your looking for more.) if your going to be walking long distances with some weight go ahead and spend the money on one of the above mentioned packs.
 
Kifaru and Mystery ranch are the best of the best. Arcteryx's leaf site has some amazing packs, at a more reasonable price tho might i suggest the eberlestock fac track :http://www.eberlestock.com/F3F FAC Track.htm

IT seems to have you covered at a lower price point than kifaru and the other top teir but still is rock solid and dependable

I never see anything about them on this forum but ive seen quite alot of them so far in theatre. They are rugged dependable packs with nice frames and quality construction and warranty, if you shop around you can probably find one for less than list price.
 
Anyone have any experience with the Rush 24 from 5.11? Not expensive, but it seems to have a good pedigree. Thinking of getting one.
 
If you find the Becker Patrol Pack to be a bit on the small size, Eagle also makes a Large Becker - might be what you're looking for. I really liked the standard Becker that I had and may have to pick up one of the large ones to check it out...


blake
 
Diverliam said:
Anyone have any experience with the Rush 24 from 5.11? Not expensive, but it seems to have a good pedigree. Thinking of getting one.
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I just picked one up two days ago. It is a great pack so far. Using it to haul around my daily carry items as well as cold weather work gear. Has more pockets and organization than I know what to do with. Having fun trying to figure it out.
 
Thanks, guys! I'd never heard of the Mystery Ranch stuff but they look really squared away. I'll have to check them out more thoroughly.

Blake--I just realized that Eagle makes a bigger Becker. 2400 cu in in the main compartment. Sounds perfect. That is definitely on the short list right now.

To clarify: I pack pretty light and I travel mostly to urban areas, but very depressed urban areas (think Albania, El Salvador, Colombia, Tibet, etc). So, I have a roof over my head but it's some third world environment most of the time. I don't really ever have to hump it through out and out bush country. The gear can cause my pack to balloon which is why I want something over 2,000 cu in. I haven't checked a bag in years, I'm strictly a carry-on guy, gate-check at most. If it's just clothes, I can get by pretty much indefinitely with 1,500 cu in. But if I'm training and have range gear, I need some more space.

Thanks, guys for all the input--some great stuff here!
 
Expatriated said:
Guys,

I'm looking for a new pack. This is primarily used for my international travels to carry all my clothes and gear in to some pretty crappy places.

I know there's some serious gear brainpower represented here--what do you guys recommend?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

No claiming to know much about anything but I have clocked up over a million miles in Africa and let's say Africa is an aquired taste.
All your kit and clothes .... I use a hard case Delsey case. I lock it and touch wood, have in 22 years not lost a single item. I don't claim Delsey is a vault but maybe the other travellers stuff just looks easier to access. I have seen many a soft pack arrive with a huge gash from some sharp object and the traveller highly upset because of lost items.

As for carry on only ..... first item I retrieve from my checked luggage is my knives and PSK... no way even a third world country allow that as a carry on. Remember this ...if you look like prey, you will be eaten!!

I do have either my North Face Borealis or Maxpedition Falcon II as a carry on. If this is as wild as you say, and like Africa your chanches of being the next American Idol is on par with your luggage arriving on the same flight as you ..... suggets a carry on with a clean set of clothes and 2 sets of undies with toiletries to top it off. And a book to while await long waits between action.

I would not travel to any third world destination with valuables in a soft case/pack.

YMMV :D

Aubrey
 
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